Saw this unusual vehicle while in Morocco last week. It seems to be an amalgamation of numerous bits and pieces and influences: cruiser meets trike meets 80's retro meets pick-up with a bit of gazebo thrown in for good measure. The name on the tank? 'Top Magic'. A classic if ever I saw one.

Went along to the MAG protest today on the A47 west of Norwich - one of numerous demonstrations across the UK. Details can be found here:  http://www.mag-uk.org/en/campaignsdetail/a6883 . Couldn't believe how many turned out in support for this great organizations work. If it wasn't for the people at MAG, and their tireless delving into the murky world of Brussels, idiotic and downright discriminatory laws would be ushered through the courts without anybody noticing - until it was too late. So well done to them for getting us all on our bikes and making a statement (and a fair bit of noise too) to make it known to all that the bike world don't do 'sit back and keep quiet'.

Last week ended with a ten minute ride to the glorious Grand Henham Steam Rally, where I saw, among other numerous gems, a very tidy little 1973 Yamaha 350 (see photo). This was the last outing of the week, and the shortest. After the Brighton Burn-Up Run, a trip to Hackney and Clerkenwell (good practice for getting to know what gaps you can fit through!) and runs to Ipswich and Essex, it was a pleasant relaxing day to soak up the atmosphere of a great traditional English rural fair and all its offerings. Nice to know that some things never change...

Went down to the Ace Cafe's annual Brighton Burn-Up yesterday. The sun was out but it was thumping into a gale all the way down (I swear my neck has increased an inch in circumference!), and it was about a 340 mile round trip in all. I don't know how many turned out but it ran into thousands, and the noise was something else. The parked bikes of all shapes, sizes and ages stretched as far as the eye could see along Madeira Drive. A great day, and a memorable spectacle - a true bikefest!

A very good friend of mine suffered a very serious cycling accident in 2009 which left him permanently injured, both physically and mentally, and has left a huge void in all of the lives of the people who have had the great fortune to have crossed paths with him. As part of a team, I am climbing Mount Toubkal, the highest peak in the Atlas Mountains to help raise money for The Queen Alexandra Hospital Home, which is where Stuart now resides.

Been neglecting the site lately. The weather has just been too good. I keep leaving little notes around the house - like this one...

I was lucky enough to take Richard's big ol' Harley Fat Bob out for a ride yesterday evening, and oh what a joy. Ever since taking a Sportster out for a test ride last year, I have had a curiosity with the Harley that hasn't really gone away. They are such a different animal to the Jap Fours, but there is a mysterious charm to these bikes, something that I cannot really get out of my head. I have a funny feeling that this will not be the last time I ride one of these legendary motorcycles...

Business took me down to Hackney and Notting Hill on Wednesday in the van. Usual traffic nightmare on the way home (which took over 4 hours) which gave me ample opportunity to observe the habits of fellow road users. Don't know why I was surprised as I've been on the receiving end so many times on my bike, but I was dismayed at the usual display of hatred and malice pitched at fellow riders filtering through 3 lanes of crawling traffic...

Rode along to the Fenman on Bank Holiday Monday (is it really another year...?). The rain finally gave up and the sun came out. It was a pretty windy ride though, with quite strong crosswinds on exposed stretches. Managed to stretch the XJR's legs though...

Have posted some photos in the gallery

Found an article in an old mag on the FJ which heaps praise on it by the bucket load:

Well, finally got the big bruiser back this week, and oh, what a joy she is. All the rumours are true - even though a bit long in the tooth, it's exactly what the Bike Buyers Bible states - "...well planted and fast." I took the legendary FJ out today for the first time for what seems like an eternity, and it was smiles all the way! After filling up with fresh juice I gingerly headed south down the A12, and it didn't take long (about a quarter of a mile) before I felt comfortable, confident and quite at ease in this saddle and drawing on the huge reserve of grunt this bike has. It pulls like a train, even from low down in the revs, surging forward with a smooth and seemless flow of horsepower. I don't know if it's because I'm the wrong side of 40, but I felt 19 again! Granted, she is a bit rough around the edges, but she moves like an athlete. Have added a couple of photos in the gallery...

Have crumbled and convinced myself that I need a winter steed, namely a Yamaha FJ1200. I haven't had a Yamaha since my beloved old RD200 'Yiddle' back in '86! As it's having a very (and hopefully not too expensive) thorough going over under the expert eye of Paul of the Wrentham Bike Shed, I can't post any pictures. But I will put some up as soon as she is ready to roll...!

If you happened to find yourself passing a certain brick shed in a seaside town not a million miles from the 'Wold and heard a tap tap tap and possibly a rub and the gentle hiss of a spray can, oh, and maybe the odd F*&K IT! the chances are that it was Dan tending to his Zed. He has sent me some impressive shots of the various stages of the refurb. Note that paint job on the tank - a drop of pure black chrooome buh!

Due to the rather large quantity of grape juice consumed on Saturday night, I opted for an afternoon's entertainment a bit closer to home - the Grand Henham Steam Rally. Besides, I couldn't resist a spin on the Ferris Wheel with my nearest and dearest and a hot-dog (or two). Was a great day out, with plenty of characters with their puffing machines. Was pleasantly surprised to see a decent display of classic bikes and cars. Some of the highlights for me was an unusual old Guzzi, a lovely old Harley without the chrome and one of the most attractive petrol tanks I have ever seen, on a Bantam.

It is that time again at last when that small but perfectly formed magazine - the Z1 Owners Newzletter - lands in the post box. As I was thumbing through the many superb articles, I was pleasantly surprised to see my photo competition entry of my Zed appearing alongside a few others. The winner is being announced at the Stafford show in October, so I'm keeping everything crossed for the ol' boy...!

Ventured along to the Fenman on Bank Holiday Monday. It was a warm bright day, which made the ride even more enjoyable. I particularly enjoy this route, which consists of single carriageway through numerous towns and villages and a nice part through Thetford Forest. There were bikes a plenty at and on the approach to the show, which for me, is one of the best bits - riding with fellow motorcyclists.

I have made a montage of just a small selection of bikes that caught my eye, including a couple (OK, three!) of beautiful Zeds - a pair of thou's and a thirteen; a great looking Harley; a Triumph Thunderbird in honour of Halcyon; a couple of real characters - an Ariel and a BSA (I love the foot pump strapped to the saddle - man after my own heart!); a very handsome Thruxton, and Harley Davidson's new 'environmentally friendly' model(!)